Previous page Next page  TCEP Ranger Training  |  Indotestudo Births  |  Adventures of Lucky Turtle  |  TCEP Expansion Staff News  |  Stolen Turtles Recovered  |  New Wildlife Trade Guide  |  Turtle Trade Journal Cat Tien Yields No Turtles  |  Cuora Listed Under CITES  |  U Minh Reptile & Amphibian Survey Future of Hoan Kem Turtle  |  Acknowledgements Turtle Center at Cuc Phuong Mr. Nguyen, the project's engineer and resident from the local community, is responsible for designing and supervising construction of new facilities at the center.  In this photo Nguyen delivers forest plants for the turtle enclosures. TCEP Center Expansion Continues      Expansion of the Turtle Conservation and Ecology Project center at Cuc Phuong National Park continues with the addition of six terrestrial enclosures, four large aquatic tanks, and a semi-natural stream and pond enclosure. The expansion brings the total space for turtles to approximately 850 square meters, including 28 terrestrial or semi-aquatic enclosures, and 18 aquatic tanks, each with a terrestrial platform. At least 26 additional terrestrial enclosures are planned for 2000, as well as a secure cage for quarantine, small greenhouse, and research building.      The semi-natural stream and pond enclosure, supported with funds from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association was completed in May, and includes a small constructed stream, which winds across a 120 square meter terrestrial enclosure before reaching a large sunken aquatic pool. This special environment will be used for the housing and breeding of Mauremys annamensis, Vietnam's only endemic turtle species.      The Turtle Conservation and Ecology Center is intended as a halfway house for turtles confiscated by authorities from the illegal wildlife trade. Presently the project maintains nearly 200 turtles representing 18 of Vietnam's 22 species. Plans call for the translocation of healthy turtles back to their native habitat, as well as research and breeding of captive populations maintained at the center.